Black and white league race features shade of Gray.

Byline: Curtis Anderson The Register-Guard

For the past three years, South Eugene's Erin Gray has been the undisputed queen of distance running in the Midwestern League.

The Axeman senior, who is sifting through offers from colleges such as Northwestern, Duke and Arkansas, already has one state cross country title to her credit, and is three-for-three at the district meet.

And until this past September, she had never lost a league race.

Sheldon sophomore Casey Masterson became the first Midwestern League runner to beat Gray during her high school career when the Irish recorded a 19-36 dual-meet victory over the Axemen.

Gray exacted a bit of revenge a few weeks later when she placed second overall at the Northwest Classic, two seconds behind Hermiston's Jennifer Macias and 19 seconds ahead of Masterson. South Eugene won that meet with 50 points, while the Irish, who were missing two of their top runners, placed fourth at 111.

All of which acts as a prelude to what should be another donnybrook between the two league rivals at the girls district championships on Oct. 27 at Lane Community College.

The Irish, who haven't lost a conference dual meet since the middle of the 2001 season, tied South Eugene at last year's district meet, but they were awarded the title based on the performance of their No. 6 runner, who finished four seconds ahead of South's No. 6 runner.

It was only the second district title in school history for the Irish girls, who are taking aim at a fifth straight state appearance this fall.

`Our top priority is to have people fit and healthy and ready to go for the district and state championships,' Sheldon coach Chris Yorges said. `With that in mind, we intend on giving it our best effort to defend our district title and contend for a trophy at state.'

`Last year Sheldon beat us with their No. 6 runner, and for a team that prides itself on its depth, we know it's just as likely to be a close meet again,' South Eugene coach Jeff Hess said. `Only five runners score, but seven count and that's exciting.'

For Sheldon, the most exciting development over the past few years has been the unprecedented growth in the number of athletes who are giving cross country a try for the first time.

More than 50 girls came out this fall, and when combined with the boys team, the Irish had a record turnout of 82 athletes.

`It's been an amazing change out here,' Sheldon senior Carly Bradshaw said. `My freshman year we had great role models, and to see us grow and become so tight (over the past few years) has really improved the team dynamic.'

The Irish also make sure they have plenty of fun.

`We have secret pals before each race, where we draw names and give those runners notes of encouragement,' Bradshaw said. `And we're still trying to have team dinners, although the numbers are so large it can be difficult.'

Bradshaw is one of three seniors expected to provide the bulk of the leadership for the Irish this season.

The other two are Heather Spinney, who is working out with the team but not competing due to `personal reasons,' and Holly Thomson, who has been slowed by a sore arch. Spinney, who placed second, fifth and third at the past three district meets, is expected to return for the Jim Danner Invitational on Oct. 16.

Masterson, who placed 11th at state as a freshman, was equally effective on the track as she finished seventh in the 3,000 meters. She heads the Irish youth movement, which includes junior twin sisters Natalie and Lenka Stafl, sophomores Madison Randall, Katherine Barnhart and Stephanie Stickels and freshman Heather Thomson.

At South, Gray and Jadie Mollier are the only seniors, followed by juniors Lauren Sharp, Lena Sessions, Elizabeth Glass, Rachel Whitfield and Hannah Lakehomer and sophomores Abigail Pearson, Lauren Harvey, Taylor Drouet, Gianna Palmer, Erika White, Cody Schvaneveldt and Ally Weinhold.

`Erin, of course, is a contender for the state title,' Hess said. `She's not there yet, but she will run a lot faster by the end of the season. ... We also have a tremendous group of young runners who are making great improvement.'

It will be difficult for any runners outside of those two schools to break into the top seven and earn a trip to state this year.

Those with the best chance include Marshfield freshman Amy Holcombe, Springfield sophomore Tiara Bennett, Thurston junior Emily Baynes, North Eugene sophomore Tasha Liegel and a trio of runners from Churchill - junior Ashley Rochholz, senior Abby Hagood and Tamara Starodubtseva.

CAPTION(S):

South Eugene's Erin Gray suffered the first loss of her career to a league foe when she was beaten by Sheldon's Casey Masterson (684) last month. Chris Pietsch / The Register-Guard The South Eugene Axemen (in dark gray) have the depth to once again challenge for the district title when the meet is held Oct. 27 at Lane Community College.